MacKenzie Perez and Sophie Bergland lead charge for Palos Verdes High girls golf team

Palos Verdes boasts impressive credentials heading into this season, and the Sea Kings have reason to believe more good things are in store.

PV is coming off a season in which it finished as co-champions of the Ocean League for the second straight year. PV went on to capture the CIF-Southern Section Central Division crown, and was a stroke short of advancing to the CIF state finals.

PV has three golfers from last year’s squad playing in college, and two from this season’s team already have made verbal commitments.

That’s something that would have been unheard of for the Palos Verdes girls golf program five years ago, but it has turned a corner under coach Ray Rivera and has been competing consistently on a high level the last few years.

This year’s squad looks to keep it going with senior co-captains MacKenzie Perez and Sophie Bergland leading the way.

Perez, who took second place in the AJGA Junior at Centennial in Oregon recently, already has verbally committed to play golf next year for the University of Missouri. Bergland is slated to lend her talents to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

So while losing stars Elizabeth Doty (Wake Forest), Natalie Mu (Cal) and Roxanne Matta (University of Art University) hurts, the team trudges on with high hopes.

“I think we have a good chance to win league battling North and Torrance,” Rivera said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge. It’ll be a hard battle, but hopefully we can meet the challenge and keep the program at the same level it’s been the last few years.”

While Perez and Bergland give PV a dynamic 1-2 punch — Rivera believes he has two No. 1s — the success of the team could be riding on golfers three through five.

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Junior Payton Vallee also returns after playing a big role last year. Junior Maddy Carr and senior Haley Lundberg also hope to make a splash in the starting lineup for PV, which is undefeated the last two years on its home course, the par-35 PV Golf Course.

“High school golf is a five-person sport. You can have the two best players, but to advance you need three, four and five to perform,” Rivera said. “My belief is that five players make one score, so whoever plays well in the three-four-five spots will win.”

North Torrance >> The Saxons have been not only busy, but impressive in early-season action. North won the Beat the Heat Invitational at Cross Creek Golf Club in Elsinore and have had some lopsided wins in head-to-head competition.

Cindy Oh (advanced out of CIF-SS Individual finals last year), Haley Tygret and Yzie Tabirara lead the charge for North, which had a breakthrough season last year, when it captured a share of the Ocean League crown for the first time. Lauren Pascual, Christina Ige, Megan Ko and Julia Ohara also figure to be big contributors for North this season.

Torrance >> Diana Kim (reached CIF-SS Individual finals last year) and Nina Novilla lead the way for Torrance, which had its streak of winning at least a share of the Ocean League title snapped at 10 when it finished third behind PV and North last season.

Torrance also had its streak of seven consecutive CIF state finals appearances come to an end last year.

Torrance may not be the South Bay powerhouse it’s been in recent years, but the team still boasts talent and hopes to compete for the league title. Kim and Novilla have been impressive in early-season action for Torrance, which hopes to get a boost from Alexa Vicencio, Chelsea Lee and Sol Kim, among others.

Bay League

Mira Costa >> The Mustangs are the defending Bay League champions, and look primed to repeat with a talented group. Marni Murez, Megan Kim (advanced out of CIF-SS Individual finals last year), Ashley Kim, Jenny Johnson, Andie Lee and Mika Pascual all are capable of finishing in the 30s on any given day. Mira Costa has the kind of depth that few schools enjoy.

West Torrance >> The Warriors are led by Erin Choi, who reached the CIF-SS Individual finals last year. Choi looks primed for another big season for the Warriors. She will get help from Sam Nakahira and Kasey Torres as West tries to contend with Mira Costa for the league crown.

South Torrance >> The Spartans are sparked by Michelle Yom, who advanced out of the CIF-SS Individual finals last year and is looking to go deep in the playoffs individually again this season. Kaitlin Anagost, Angie Kim, Kelly O’Brien and Rachel Sanati also are key golfers for the Spartans.

Redondo >> Robynn Ree leads the way for the Sea Hawks this season. Ree, one of the top golfers in the South Bay, advanced out of the CIF-SS Individual finals last year. Mackenzie Jeffrey is among the golfers looking to complement Ree this season for Redondo.

Peninsula >> The Panthers look to be competitive in the tough Bay League. Chisa Kodaka and Nicole Suppelsa lead the way for Peninsula.

Chadwick >> The Dolphins are simply looking to improve as the season progresses, but don’t figure to make a big splash in the Bay League. But Alison Sim is a bright spot for the Dolphins.